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Years ago when I started my custom couture accessory business I created this hand beaded bouquet holder. I made a wire frame, wrapped it in satin ribbon then using invisible nylon thread I proceeded to hand sew individual glass seed beads, pearl beads and Swarovski Austrian crystals to the frame, encrusting it in twinkling highlights that sparkled and shimmered in the light.

The bouquet holder was an enormously time consuming project and since time is reflective of price the price tag on this piece was considerable. So much so that it sat as a sample in my showroom for 10 years.

I have always loved this piece and decided early on in my engagement that I would use it for my own wedding.

The twist comes in that rather then fresh flowers I used silk, both modern roses and vintage lily of the valley, to comprise the bouquet itself. I then added in Swarovski crystal branches that I made along with gold origami cranes and flowers tying the bouquet into the origami theme of our wedding.

Idea submitted by: Stacie Tamaki